What We Are Building
Axlow V1 is a three-wheel recumbent cycle concept with two front steering wheels, one rear driven wheel, a reclined seat, side steering, and a practical tubular chassis.
The first version is not trying to be everything at once. It should prove the ride: comfort, confidence, braking, steering feel, entry and exit, and whether people are excited enough to follow or pre-register for the product.
Why It Matters
Most bicycles put weight on the wrists, saddle, shoulders, and neck. A recumbent trike changes that posture completely. The rider sits lower, gets back support, does not need to balance at stops, and can ride in a more relaxed position.
For India, the opportunity is not just recreation. Axlow can become a distinctive mobility platform for parks, campuses, gated communities, resorts, fitness rides, and eventually assisted everyday mobility.
Primary Audience
- Riders who want cycling comfort without a conventional saddle posture
- People who value stability, relaxed riding, and easy low-speed control
- Campuses, resorts, gated communities, farm stays, and private mobility spaces
- Fitness and leisure riders looking for a distinctive experience
- Early adopters interested in locally built mobility products
- Collaborators who can help with design, fabrication, testing, supply chain, or launch
V1 Product Direction
- Tadpole layout: two front wheels, one rear wheel
- Rear wheel drive with front wheel steering
- Side steering handles for a relaxed cockpit feel
- Front crank boom with rider-fit adjustment
- Long chain drive for Prototype 0, with guards and idlers
- Dual front disc brakes as the preferred braking baseline
- Tubular mild steel frame for the first rideable prototype
- Integrated mounts for headlamp, tail lamp, brake lamp, side visibility, and flag
What V1 Should Prove
| Question | What We Need To Learn |
|---|---|
| Comfort | Can riders sit, pedal, steer, and stop without wrist, neck, or saddle strain? |
| Control | Does the steering feel natural at low speed and through tight turns? |
| Stability | Is the trike confidence-building without feeling bulky or slow? |
| Braking | Can dual front brakes stop predictably without pulling to one side? |
| Fit | Can the boom and seat support a useful rider-height range? |
| Manufacturing | Can the chassis, brackets, steering parts, and seat frame be built repeatedly? |
| Market Pull | Do visitors, riders, and collaborators want to join the waitlist or contribute? |
Prototype 0 Scope
Prototype 0 should be a rideable geometry mule, not a finished commercial product. The goal is to learn quickly with a strong mechanical base.
- Mild steel tubular frame
- 20/20/26 or 20/20/20 wheel configuration
- Adjustable front boom
- Basic mesh or padded recumbent seat
- Side steering with mechanical steering stops
- Dual front mechanical disc brakes
- Bought-out 1x8, 1x9, or 3x7 bicycle drivetrain
- Chain idler, chain tube, and rider-safe guarding
- Mounting points for lights, reflectors, and flag
Future Modules
These are product lanes to design around early, but not promises for the first prototype.
- Automotive-style lighting pack with headlamp, running lamp, brake lamp, and side visibility
- Compact ride console for speed, battery, ride mode, and navigation cues
- Electric assist after the base chassis and drivetrain are validated
- Cargo or utility attachment points for campus, resort, or local delivery variants
- Belt drive or internal gearing only after chain routing and customer use cases are understood
- Lighter frame variants after geometry and manufacturing repeatability are proven
Open Decisions
- 20/20/26 vs 20/20/20 wheel layout
- Seat height, seat angle, and entry/exit comfort
- Front track width and total vehicle width
- Boom adjustment range
- Linked vs independent front brake control
- Front suspension now, later, or not at all
- Lighting as standard equipment or optional pack
- Prototype 0 budget, timeline, and test rider profile